NDLEA Shooting: Family of  2-year-old Victim Pleads for Assistance

Juliet Akoje in Abuja

The family of two-year-old Eromonsele Omhonria, who was tragically shot in the eye by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Delta State, has made a heartbreaking appeal for help. 

Despite the severity of his injury, Eromonsele is yet to receive any medical treatment, leaving his family in distress.

The elder brother of the victim, Ivan, was killed in the incident by the bullets of the NDLEA officers. 

The NDLEA officers were said to be conducting a raid nearby on July 13, 2023  and the children were struck by stray bullets.

Ivan was two and Eromonsele was one year old at the time of the incident.

The parents of the children yesterday said they have been abandoned by the agency while meeting with members of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions.

The family had petitioned the House of Representatives and the matter was heard for the second time  yesterday.

In attendance were the parents of the children, their lawyer as well as representatives of the NDLEA.

The father, Mr. Fidelis disclosed that the surviving sibling of the unfortunate incident has been abandoned by the agency.

The lawyer of the family,  Barr. Mathew Edaghese, while addressing the committee members said whenever the little boy cries, blood comes out from his eye and mixes with the tears.

The family said following the incident the hospital in Delta referred them to an eye specialist hospital in Lagos, which further referred them to a hospital in the United States.

“Even the hospital recommended by the NDLEA recommended them to the same hospital outside the country but since then we were abandoned by the agency. In respect of the surviving child with this gunshot to the eye, effort has been made in his private capacity to get this child flown to where he was prescribed to at a hospital in the United States of America by the best medical-faceted eye on eye issues in Nigeria, Eye Foundation in Lagos.”

“This recommendation was done within the first week of this incident. And they were aware of it. They did nothing about it. And the family had made several attempts to get visa. It was denied because it is not coming from the appropriate authority that caused the problem. One year and two months after, the child is still in pain. As of last week, a piece of glass dropped from his eye. If he cries as we speak, blood will be missing with the tears.”

“Over one year after, a situation that was recommended for emergency attention, NDLEA went to sleep and wants him to deteriorate beyond redemption. We want to plead with this body to facilitate the trip of this innocent child whose destiny is under a serious attack for treatment where he has been recommended for treatment overseas.”

Consequently, the family has in their petition demanded the sum of N2 billion from the NDLEA for compensation.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon Mike Etaba said the surviving child must get immediate treatment.

He, however, said the N2 billion demand was not feasible as he urged the NDLEA to accept that the matter be stepped down and settled between the family, the NDLEA and the committee on terms that would be accepted to all parties.

Furthermore, the committee chairman expressed displeasure that Chairman of the NDLEA, Brig Gen Buba Marwa rtd did not show up for the hearing in person.

He, however, invited Marwa and the parents of the children to meet with the committee in his office on Thursday, 24th October at 10am to resolve the issue.

Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, NDLEA, Theresa Asuquo, who represented Marwa, agreed to the terms.